Franchising, retail, business
16/04/2015
U.S. consumer sentiment rose more than expected in April, a survey released on Friday showed.
The University of Michigan's preliminary April reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment came in at 95.9, up from the final March read of 93.0. Analysts were looking for a reading of 94.0.
The survey's subindex on business conditions rose to 108.2 from 105.0 in March, while a read on consumer expectations rose to 88.0 from 85.3. The median forecast of analysts polled by Reuters was for a reading of 105.2 for the conditions index and 87.0 for expectations.
In a separate report, a gauge of future U.S. economic activity rose modestly in March, consistent with views that growth slowed in the first quarter.
The Conference Board said on Friday that its Leading Economic Index increased 0.2 percent after a downwardly revised 0.1 percent rise in February. The index was previously reported to have gained 0.2 percent in February.